Sea Center Opportunities

Sea Center volunteers are a community of people comprised of all ages, backgrounds, and professional and student expertise. If you have a passion for people, your community, and the conservation and stewardship of Santa Barbara’s local coastal waters and watersheds, then the Sea Center wants you!

All of our volunteers begin as Exhibit Interpreter Volunteers, an entry-level position. Once volunteers complete the minimum commitment of 4 months and 48 hours of service, they have the option to apply for one of our Advanced Volunteer Opportunities.

Exhibit Interpreter Volunteer

Share your passion for the natural world by providing engaging and educational experiences for Sea Center visitors. Perform hands-on demonstrations and give live animal presentations at our iconic Shark Cove, Intertidal Wonders, and Wet Deck exhibits. The Sea Center offers orientations throughout the year to those looking to gain valuable experience translating scientific terminology and information to aquarium visitors.

Requirements:

1. Complete Volunteer Application2. Participate in an interview process3. Volunteer with a parent or guardian if under the age of 144. All applicants 18 years or older must pass a background check5. Be able to commit to one shift per week for a minimum of 4 months6. If selected, attend the Sea Crew Orientation 7. Pay $25 program fee which covers the cost of the volunteer uniform

Advanced Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers that have gone through the Sea Crew Orientation and completed the minimum commitment period of 4 months and 48 hours of service have the prospect of transitioning into the following opportunities at the Sea Center.

Foster a sense of stewardship in the next generation of marine scientists. Help our Mighty Sea Squirts investigate and explore Santa Barbara’s unique marine environment during the spring, summer, and winter camp seasons.

Share the diversity of Santa Barbara’s marine mammal species with visitors at our portable marine mammal exhibit. Explore the similarities and differences between land and aquatic mammals using collections from the museum’s Collections and Research department.

Harness your wonder and awe of the ocean by discovering the diversity of life at the bottom of the food chain. Share your findings and the ecological importance of these creatures with Sea Center visitors.